NHL NOTES

Darryl Sutter resigned as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Wanda, and children Jessica, Brett and Christopher. Christopher, 2, was born with Down’s syndrome.

“I didn’t agonize over it,” Sutter said of his decision. “It was reality, it was the right thing. I had put myself ahead of my family for 17 years. My responsibility is as a father, first and foremost.”

Sutter will remain a special assistant to Blackhawk General Manager Bob Pulford but plans to move the family back to his farm in Alberta.